Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-09-03
He Killed Her Father.

A SOUTHERN GIRL WHOSE GREATEST BENKFAcroR
WAS THE MN WHO oRPH ANEp HER.
An Edseneid, G special says: The death OF
Col W. r. Smith, which took place In New York a
Few weeks since. has brought TO light q very re.
markaoie Incident From Miss Rnett Myron, the
princlpal ngure In the drama, the following facts
nave peen obtained, with permission for their pub
ncauon. Hayne Myron. the father OF this young
iau!, was planter In South Carolina His home
table. surrounded by broad acres and faithful
Mso lis family consisted OF his wife and hhett,
the idol Of her father little s child lid NET and ID
1ne piantatlon. AT the breaking out OF the war.
N 1ne lail OF 1S6l Hayne Myron Joined volunteer
Soa'n Sarollna regiment. Before leaving home he
had picture OF his little girl painted In minia-
lure ana lncased IL In locket that he placed next
70 ms neart, saying: ''My darling, this will be
papas shield when he is In danger and his SUM-
shine when he rests" and with ewes filled with
Tears, ne Smothcred the face and sunny head OF
nus enid with farewell Misses and hurried away
Eom MS peaceIul home out TO the world OF danger.
Six months later, In a skirmish in Virginia Hayne
Myron was killed, in close combat, 6y a federal
bnme =; U ta lew words were sent TO the old
nome 10 ten the sad story.
purihg Gen. Sherman's invasion into South Car
olaa Ine 4yron homestead was destroyed. The
plantation IN an ut-building supported from the
rents from the lands Two years ago MIS- Myron
aed, and through the influence OF friends Miss
family OF Col o. smith, Of Serp SSTS IN s she
stated TO me that her first meeting with col Smith
was peculiar. Ihat when his vile introduced her
o 70 niih saying, inls Is our new goyerness from
South Carolina, Miss Rhett Myron.s his face be-
came deathly white, and he gave a sudden start.
Sne was aosent from home when Mrs. smith en-
sageu ner.l he mechanically shook hands with
her ana tired TO speak, but his lips seemed sealed
bul iater his manner changed TO kindness and
guest than a Salarisd teacher He insisted on nav
ing her -FOUR times the amount she charged for her
services, ana made her duties light. one evening
sue Was slttlng IN the family circle, telling OF her
past life down In South Carolina OF he Spacious
mouse with its twenty columns, OF the dusky
slaves VINO USED TO sit her on their shoulders CALI
my Der tnelr little queen" as they carried her
through the cotton fields that looked Ike seas OF
snow foam. For the first time she spoke OF her
father, how handsome and sad he looked as he
went away on that dreadful last day; how he took
her picture with him. and told ali he said She
states that she was forced 70 stop in the midst of
her words, FOR Col. Smith turned CHASTITY pale and
leit the room. III all seemed strange TO me then,
she said, but the meaning is plain now. Miss NY.
ron continued TO live with Col. smiths family for
Two years. III was haven and a home TO me, "
she said, 81 had so long toed and worked on our
plantation, isolated from society and all adyan.
tages; It was like fairy lie had opened TO me OF
ease and luxury, but my heart was almost break
ing, as L remembered ali that had lost In those
sad sweet days"
Six weeks ago Colonel :Smith was taken sud-
denly III and when he realized that death was
inevitable he expressed desire to see Miss Myron
alone. She states that as she neared the bed OF
the dying man, she saw him holding something
cOnVuIslVely In one hand as he extend the other
10 her and exclaimed: "Rhett Myron, forgive me
before die; without your pardon L cannot die
come close and listen 10 what have to tell you
IL was who made you an orphan, my hands are
red with your fathers blood. Take thiSp he said
handing me the package: 81 found il on his dying
breast. Ills Your face; your maine and his name
are upon IL. Take IL and forgive one who has
Tried TO explate the wrongs done you. oh! can YOU
forgive dying mann" and the voice became faint
ana low. ION! Sir, you both Were soldiers;
Freely forgive" and the poor girl, who could say
no more. fell unconscious upon the door. THANK
God. he murmured, and all was over.
when Rhett Myron recovered, the man who had
killed her father, and who was later the best
friend she ever knew, was dead. In his will he be-
Queathed TO her the generous sum or SIS, 600. He
also lett letter giving all the particulars OF her
Iathers death. only few days ago / saw the
pcture-a sweet child face, In an azure cloud, and
on the little plush case were marks OF blood. This
Is certainly the most remarkable incident tt has
ever been my privilege TO record.